BACK TOBACK TOSCHOOL WITH ASCHOOL WITH A MASKMASKSchool will look different this year, with changes that include wearing amask regularly. Here are some tips for helping your child wear a maskfor school.

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Key Ideas:Good Mask Fit1.

What does a good mask fit look like?

A poorly fitting mask is hard to getused to wearing and encourageschildren to touch their mask, riskingcontaminationYoung children often need smallermasksIt must fit firmly over the nose and atthe sides of the faceIt should be adjusted to avoid foggingup glasses

It Fits

It’s Safe

It’s Comfortable It’s Breathable

It’s Fun

Be sure that straps, decorationsor small parts are not a chokingor strangulation hazard

Use fun colors, characters or afavorite superheroMany masks are made just forchildren. Let your child help choosethe look, as well as the fit. You mayhave to trial different masks to findthe right one.

It should not hurt to wear it. Commonpressure points are behind the earsand on the nose.It should not cause any marks orbreak down your child’s skin.

Masks should have 3-4 fine texturedcotton layers but not be too thick orhot.

Start by having your child wear their mask so itonly covers their mouth. This allows them timeto adjust to the feel of the mask on their face,

while still breathing throughtheir nose.

Once they are comfortable, progress to havingthe mask cover both their nose and their mouth.

This can take time forsome children, and should not be rushed.

Daily, gradual practice is the most successful way for children toadjust to new changes such as wearing face masks. It is important to increase the mask wearing time as your childadjusts to their mask, as they will be required to wear it for most oftheir school day.

Your child should first practice wearing theirmask while doing quieter, fun/distracting

activities indoors e.g. playing a board game,reading a favorite book. As they become

comfortable, they can wear their mask whilebeing more active, gradually

increasing to activities such as walking orskipping.

HOW

2. Adjusting to wearing amask:

The How and When to practice:

WHEN

Key Ideas:

Your child should practice wearing their mask daily to getused to it before starting school.Have your child pick the most comfortable time of day andstick to the schedule they choose.Help your child understand that this daily practice time is a“non-negotiable” activity, meaning they have to do it every day.

Have your child practice wearing their maskduring the daytime in different settings outsideyour home e.g. family outings, grocery shopping. 

This also gives you the opportunity totroubleshoot any issues with their mask that mayneed correcting. 

The goal is for your child to be able to wear theirmask during the daytime, at home, during thesame times they will be required to wear theirmask at school.

Key Ideas:3. Daily Practice

Practice wearing a mask indifferent settings:

The strategies you choose will depend on your child's age,developmental stage and motivation. You know your child best,but here are some ideas to consider:

Many children respond well topositive messages such as “greatwork at practicing wearing yourmask today!” or “You wore yourmask a lot today – good for you!”

Children also respond well toincentives like stickers. Rewardcharts can be used to track thetime their mask is worn eachday, with a prize or treat afterthey have reached a set goal(they get to choose an agreedupon prize/ treat before startingthe chart)

Techniquesto help your childadjust to wearing aface mask:

Incentives

Children of all ages like to fit in and look to parents andsiblings as role models. Older siblings and parents canshow how they wear a face mask, and also the proper wayto put on and take off theirmask.

Practice putting on and taking off face masks togetherPractice wearing masks together at home – you can makea game out of it if your child likes games. Talk about what you like about your mask and why youwear it (“My mask protects you, and your mask protectsme”)Talk about the things that are difficult about wearing amask, and things you tried that made it easier

Talk about how your child’s teachers, principal, and all oftheir friends will also be wearing masks at school.Remind them “We Are All In This Together”.

Role playing/ Role modelling withparents and siblings:

Techniquesto help your childadjust to wearing aface mask:

It is important not to create a fear around maskwearing. Present it as a new and necessaryhabit that we all need to practice in order tostay healthy during COVID.

Specialconsiderations:

Mask storage: Check with your child’s school about specificinstructions for mask storage when masks are taken off duringthe school day. Practicing safe mask storage during home maskpractices will also help your child know what to do with theirmask at school.

Additional Links:

Alberta Health and Health Canada recommendations onappropriate face coverings:https://www.alberta.ca/masks.aspxhttps://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/about-non-medical-masks-face-coverings.html

Wear a mask like a health hero. A great resource!https://www.uab.edu/medicine/phts/images/covid-19/ACTION_COVID19_Masks_FINAL20200508.pdf

How to put on your mask:https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR0f6nmUvBWnoa9qFcluG4wsE71KaqjBG0ryZfwoy8nJjDDiEV-tE-7hm68&feature=youtu.be&v=WdiiYvY5LK4&app=desktop

General information on COVID-19https://www.ualberta.ca/alberta-respiratory-centre/covid19-links.html

Children with sensory issues:  If your child has sensory issues,getting used to a face mask may take longer, and be morechallenging. Try using techniques that are successful for gettingthem to do other necessary activities e.g. brushing teeth,wearing glasses, etc. Again daily, consistent, gradual practice iskey.

This document was created by:

Deborah Olmstead, RN, MN, NP, Stollery Children's Hospital

Dr. Allison Carroll, Stollery Children's Hospital

Dr. Anne Hicks, Stollery Children's Hospital

Joud Nour Eddin, MPH, BSc, ECHO Research, Faculty of Nursing,

University of Alberta

Dr. Shannon Scott, PhD, RN, Professor, ECHO Research, Faculty of

Nursing, University of Alberta

Translating Evidence in Child Health to Enhance Outcomes (ECHO

Research).

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Acknowledgements

2020